Crooked hole indicator



Aug; 25,l 1931.-. L.; A-MCLA1N -I 1,820,082

CROOKED HOLE INDICATOR Filed Aug. :51, 1929 1591 lage BY ZJMA TTORNEY n Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNITED STAT-Es LEwIs A. lamento! wxcnrra', KANSAS). escom :Iona :marcaron application ma iugm s1, 192s. seran No. 389,851.

This invention relates to means for determining the angle o f deviation from the perpendicular inthe hole of a dee well.l

In drilling oil wells, the dril 'ng tools are frequently diverted from a vstraight line so that the hole is crooked, Thatis, it deviates from the perpendicular and it is desirable to determine the extent of the angular deviation as well as the direction in which the deviation takes place. I have provided means for accurately indicating both the angle and the direction of the angle and the invention consists in certain parts and combinations of parts, all of which will be specifically dai scribed hereinafter, reference being had' to` 19 plvoted on a vertical axis and substant1ally the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1.is a vertical sectional view through part of the oil well hole showing my invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view 'through the outer casing, the camera being shown 'in felevat on. a*

Fig. 3 is .a fragmentaryv'ew of the outer casing showing th'e position of the camera 1 when the outer casing deflected from -the perpendicular.

Fig. .4 is' a sect1onal"view through. the

camera casing, the light source andfbattery cells being shown in elevation.' Fig. 5' is an' enlarged view'of the sensitized element on which the camera projects an image and Fig. 6is a diagram tion.

Tle'outer casing 1 is shown as comprising a lightproof tube having a threaded plug 2 in its top connected toaline 3 by means of which the casing can be lowered into the well. The lower end of the tube is closed by a concave member' 4.r Within the tube lare twoshoulders 5 and 6 inspaced relationone above the other. The shoulder Y5 supports a disc 7 of sensitized material such vas 'a photographic plate or film having astem 8 extending upwardly therefromso .thatf'the sensitized element can be` removed after the plug 2 is taken out of the tube. The shoulder 6 supports a'l removable disc 9 having a l centrally located opening 10, the edge of which is referably drawn to a knife edge to swinging y support the camera- 11.

he camera is .shown more specifically in Figure 4 as consisting of ahead member 12 substantially spherical with a threaded 'skirt 13 engaging a tubularcasing 14 having a removable bottom cap member .15.' 'lhe" head member 12 hangs on the'kuife edge of. the opening 10 so-that the camera may maintain a vertical position irrespective of the position of the outer casing 1. The head is provided with a central opening or bore 16 in which is a lens 17 and spaced above the lens is a glass plate 18. Between the lens 17 and the plate 18 is a magnetized'light obstructing needlev like al compass needle in that it always points l to the north. The point 20 of the needle is of a definite shape to providea definite shadow on the sensitized member', the point being termed a ilag. Within the casing 14 is a source of electrical current'21which may consist of one or more secondary battery cells adapted to'energize a light source such as a small incandescent lamp 22.- A wirel 23 leads` from the light source to an electric switch 2,4 electrically connected to the battery cell or cells 21. The electric switch arm 24 is con'- nected to a clock mechanism 25 which can be set to close the switch atera given time. For

ordinary construction not shown, will cause of the angl'e of dae@ the switch arm to contact with w1re 23 after A When the parts .are assembled and the .l

clock o rf watch mechanism has been set, the 'devicelwvill be lowered into the well until it reaches the crooked part of the. hole. This will cause .the casing 1 to be deiected from a straight line but the camera will still'have its longitudinal axis in a perpendicular line. Then, when the clock or watch mechanism has moved the'switch arm 24 to contact with wire 23, the `lamp 22 will be illuminated. It will project its llght through the lens117and through the glass'18 on tothe sensitized plate or`iilm 7 to expose a spot to the light out of line with the longitudinal center of the member 7 as indicated at 26. The flag of the complass needle will indicate the position of nort on the sensitized member so irrespective of where the spot 26 appears, the position of north will be indicated by the unexposed portion 27. Then, by using the diagram, Figure 6, and assumin 28 to be equal to the radius of the disc 7 an the line 29 the distance from thecenter of the disc 7 ,the line 30 connecting the ends of lines 28 and 29 will give the angle of deiiection in the hole. Of course, it is to be understood that the sensitized lm or plate 7 will have to be develolped after it is removed from the casing l. T e clock or. watchemechanism will be set to give am le` time to -lbwer the device into the hole be ore the light source is energized. This can be readily estimated by knowing the depth in the holeat whichv the crooked part of the hole exists. I

It will therefore be apparent thata photographic indication'can be easily made both as to the angle of deviation and the degree of deflection from the perpendicular.

What I claim-and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Y 1. A device of .the class described comprising a light proof casing, means for supporting a disk of sensitized material Within the casing, a shoulder within the casing below the sensitized sheet supporting means having a central opening with a knife edge surrounding the opening, a spherical ca in the opening bearing upon the knife `e ge, a storage batteryI case supported by the cap, a light source energized `by storage batteries in the case, a lens in the cap above the light source,

and a magnetic needle above the lens and beneath the sensitized sheet supporting means. 2. A device of the class described comprising a light proof case, a sensitized member within the casing, a light projecting means below the sensitized member having a'spherical head, a shoulder within the l1ght proof casing, a disk resting on the shoulder having an opening surrounding the headto permit the light projecting means to have free swinging movement, a compass needle between the light source and the sensitized member and time controlled means for energizing the-lightl projecting means. l

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

Y LEWIS A. MCLAIN. 

